On opening night at Madison Square Garden, Landry Shamet played his first NBA game in Serious Player Only basketball shoes. It was also the night he received his championship ring with the Knicks. For us at SPO, seeing him walk out in our shoes on a night like that meant a lot.
From Kansas City to Madison Square Garden
Growing up in Kansas City, Landry carried his own house key and let himself in while his mom worked nights. He’s talked about how much he wanted to make life a little easier for her. Taking responsibility was something he learned early, and it showed up in how he approached basketball.
At Wichita State, his coaches held him to a standard they called “One a Day.” One mistake a day. Even after a comfortable win, they’d sit down with him the next morning and go through the film, frame by frame. A missed rotation or a late step on defense was still worth working on. Landry took that habit with him to the NBA.
Finding His Place in the NBA
Philadelphia selected Landry 26th overall in 2018. He went from the 76ers to the Clippers, then Brooklyn, Phoenix, and Washington before finding his place in New York. There were highs, like signing an extension in Phoenix, and stretches when he had to wait for his next chance. Every move meant another locker room, another role, and another chance to earn his minutes.
That’s the underdog part of Landry’s story. He kept showing up early, staying late, and working on the details, even when his place in the rotation was uncertain. Teammates and coaches had a phrase for him that kept coming up: “a true professional.” In New York, you could see what they meant. He was ready to take the shot when it came his way and make the next rotation when the play went the other way.
Why Landry Chose SPO
What drew us to Landry was how seriously he takes the parts of basketball that are easy to miss. Watch him before the pass arrives. He reads the screen, changes pace, and gets his feet under him so he’s ready to shoot on the catch. If you’ve ever come off a screen a little too fast and rushed the shot, you know how much those few steps matter.
First and foremost, we listen to the players who wear our shoes. Their feedback from practices, pickup runs, and games shapes what we work on next. We want the outsole to grip when you plant, the upper to hold your foot through a hard cut, and the cushioning to respond when you push off again. For Landry, joining SPO is a chance to back a brand that takes that feedback seriously and uses it to build better basketball gear for people who love to play.
The Evolution of SPO GAME1 Basketball Shoes
The GAME1 series started in 2023 with our first GAME1. We took the next step with the GAME1 LOW, working alongside world-class dunker Jordan Kilganon to develop a lighter, more responsive basketball shoe. That’s how we like to build at SPO. We listen to the players who wear our shoes and use their feedback to decide what to improve next.
With the GAME1.5, we focused on what happens when you plant hard and change direction. The redesigned upper improves fit and lateral support, while the upgraded rubber outsole is designed to grip through quick stops and cuts. Underfoot, the Explosive 2.0 midsole adds springy rebound, and full-length carbon helps the shoe resist twisting when you plant.
Watch Landry come off a screen for a catch-and-shoot three and you’ll see where those details come together. He needs grip to slow down, support as he sets his feet, and responsive cushioning as he goes up. If your game involves a lot of cutting, stopping, and getting right back into the next play, that’s the kind of footwork the GAME1.5 was built for.
The Next Chapter
Landry switched from Nike to SPO, and that means a lot to us. It opens a new chapter in his career and gives him a way to use the platform he’s earned as an NBA champion to back a brand that’s serious about innovation and serious about making basketball gear for people who love the game.
From the kid with a house key in Kansas City to the guard in the Wichita State film room to the champion at the Garden, Landry has carried that same care for the details. It’s the attitude we had in mind when we named the brand Serious Player Only.
Landry, we’re glad you’re wearing our shoes. Let’s take the next step together, get even more serious, and push every detail a little further.
Welcome to SPO, Landry.
Shop the SPO GAME1 Basketball Shoe Series
SPO GAME1 MID
A mid-cut basketball shoe with an upgraded lock-in system, extra ankle coverage, and durable rubber traction for players at every position.
SPO GAME1 LOW
A low-cut shoe developed with dunker Jordan Kilganon, featuring a lightweight build, responsive QUICK 2.0 cushioning, and close court feel.
SPO GAME1.5
A lightweight build with Explosive 2.0 cushioning, full-length carbon, and lateral support for hard cuts and quick stops.
Black Friday Basketball Shoe Deals
Shopping for basketball shoes this Black Friday? Explore eligible SPO styles, including select GAME1 LOW colorways. Spend $150 on eligible products to save 10%, or spend $250 to save 20%. The discount applies automatically at checkout. GAME1.5 and the Cactus Collection are excluded.
